Sam Bestwick knows Mid North Coast are an "underdog" this Herald Women's Premier League season. But the Mid North Coast captain believes their young side will show plenty of fight against the competition heavyweights before the year is out. The club returned to Northern NSW Football's top-flight women's competition this year after failing to field a first-grade side in 2018 and will rely heavily on youth as they come up against some of the best players in the country in the 21-round season. Mid North Coast, who featured in the 2017 finals series, were 5-0 losers to South Wallsend in round one last weekend and host high-flying New Lambton in Taree on Sunday. "The expectation [for us] is just to have some fun and try to stick it to the top dogs of the WPL," Bestwick told the Newcastle Herald at the competition launch on March 6. The Herald went one-on-one with representatives from each of the eight clubs, with players providing insight into their 2019 squad. When asked who she was wary of this year, Bestwick replied honestly: "I would say all of them, just because we are such a young team." Related content: But the 19-year-old leader said her side was capable of causing some upsets and their midfield had plenty of young talent. "They seem inexperienced but they do have a lot of experience behind them and they will try their best and push hard," Bestwick said. "If they lose the ball they'll get it straight back from you, so watch out for those three in the middle there." A rival player she would love to recruit if given the chance would be former Mid North Coast teammate Courtney Anderson. "She knows the game and she knows the ins and outs of being up front and we could really use that experience up the top of our field," Bestwick said. Mid North Coast were beaten 5-0 by South Wallsend in round one and host high-flying New Lambton, who are coming off a 4-2 win over back-to-back champions Merewether, in Taree on Sunday. Stay tuned for the last instalment of the Herald's Meet the 2019 WPL teams with an interview with Thornton's Lauren Faulkner to come. Related content: While you're with us the Newcastle Herald is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love. Terms and conditions apply. https://www.theherald.com.au/winter-sports-promo/

Sam Bestwick knows Mid North Coast are an "underdog" this Herald Women's Premier League season.

But the Mid North Coast captain believes their young side will show plenty of fight against the competition heavyweights before the year is out.

The club returned to Northern NSW Football's top-flight women's competition this year after failing to field a first-grade side in 2018 and will rely heavily on youth as they come up against some of the best players in the country in the 21-round season.

Mid North Coast, who featured in the 2017 finals series, were 5-0 losers to South Wallsend in round one last weekend and host high-flying New Lambton in Taree on Sunday.

Mid North Coast captain Sam Bestwick, second from left and pictured in 2017 semi-finals, has named former teammate Courtney Anderson, far right, as a rival player she would like to recruit. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

"The expectation [for us] is just to have some fun and try to stick it to the top dogs of the WPL," Bestwick told the Newcastle Herald at the competition launch on March 6.

The Herald went one-on-one with representatives from each of the eight clubs, with players providing insight into their 2019 squad.

When asked who she was wary of this year, Bestwick replied honestly: "I would say all of them, just because we are such a young team."